Lifestyle changes help women shed the pounds

Kara ClouserPaula Maynard is barely recognizable to old friends after losing 100 pounds.

Paula Maynard knew her dieting was paying off when she had to introduce herself to people she knew who didn't recognize her anymore.

"A lot of people are complimentary and I appreciate that, but I didn't do this for affirmation; I did this for me," said the Dillsburg woman who has gone from a size 22 to a size 6 during the past 2½ years. "I come from an obese family, and after I had my third child, I decided it was time. I wanted to live better, to look better and to be a good example to my boys."

Maynard had tried to lose weight several times over the years, but the true desire wasn't there, she says in retrospect. This time, she decided more than just the number on the scale needed to change -- so did her lifestyle.

"I wanted to teach my boys about portion size, wholesome foods and healthy eating habits," said Maynard, 37, whose boys are ages 11, 7 and 3. "I have learned not to deprive myself because then I failed every time. Now, instead of eating a whole candy bar, I eat a miniature bar. Instead of having french fries, we have baked fries with Parmesan cheese."

It was extremely hard at first, but as the pounds began to shed, Maynard got more motivated and it became easier to pick up an apple instead of a bag of chips, she said.

However, after losing 60 pounds, she hit a plateau, so she turned to exercise. "Finding time to go to a gym was hard for me, so I got an elliptical [machine] at home and began lifting free weights and doing sit-ups," she said. She works out five times a week for 30 to 40 minutes.

To date, Maynard has lost 100 pounds and is within several pounds of her goal. "Maintenance is going to be a challenge, but I do not want the weight back," she said firmly. "I am figuring out what I can allow myself and how my metabolism works."

The key to losing weight for Warrington Township resident Kathryn Wicker is a software program called DietPower, where she records every piece of food she eats. The software tracks her fat grams, fiber and carbohydrates, which helped her learn to eat a balanced diet.

"The cycles of gaining weight and losing and gaining have been going on for years, but each time, I'd gain back more," said Wicker, 43, who was finding it hard to do the steps at Northern Middle School, where she teaches Spanish. "I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't walk well and I had so much less energy."

A veteran of many fad diets, Wicker decided that she too needed to change her outlook on food. An avid cook, she began to use low-fat foods and focus on fiber. When she was hungry for a piece of pie, she ate sweet watermelon instead and slowly, her cravings diminished. She purchased a Wii and began using its step aerobics program.

Since August 2008, Wicker has lost 110 pounds and nine inches off her waist. She hopes to lose 65 more pounds.

A key for both women was realizing why they overate. For both, it was a way to deal with emotions. "So I had to break that cycle of going for food with doing other things, like writing," Wicker said. She invented a fictional character named Naomi, who was trying to lose weight, and humorously wrote about her adventures in a blog for friends and family.

"There are funny things about losing weight, especially in our area," she noted. "I had to boycott church dinners -- there's no healthy food in Pennsylvania Dutch Lutheran churches!"

To anyone facing the daunting task of losing significant amounts of weight, Maynard and Wicker advised keeping a positive attitude and, most importantly, forgiving yourself if you slip up.

"Just focus on doing better tomorrow," Maynard said. "And have a plan in place for what you'll do the next time you want to eat half a roll of Oreos. Whatever it is, do it, and the desire passes -- I guarantee it."